You're wandering through the hauntingly beautiful world of Lumière, dodging the Paintress's gaze, and suddenly you realize your camp is looking a bit empty. That's because Sastro, the eccentric NPC who looks after the Gestrals, has a bit of a problem. Nine of his "mischievous imps" have bolted.
Finding every Clair Obscur lost gestral isn't just a completionist's errand. Honestly, it's one of the most rewarding side activities in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 because it directly impacts your ability to explore the world. If you want to smash through those glowing blue structures or grab the 'Paint Break' ability, you're going to need to track these little guys down.
They are elusive. They don't just sit on the main road waiting for Gustave and the team to pick them up. Most are tucked away in the overworld or hidden behind environmental puzzles that require specific companion abilities. You've likely walked past three of them already without even noticing.
Why Finding the Lost Gestral Matters
Basically, these imps are your ticket to progression. While the main story is a desperate race against time (literally, everyone is about to turn into smoke), the Clair Obscur lost gestral questline provides the tools you need to survive.
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Sastro lives at your Camp. Once you find the first one, he unlocks as a contact. He tells you he's watching over them until someone from the Village arrives, but since nine ran off, he needs your help. Finding them all eventually nets you the "Lost Gestrals" achievement, but the real prize is the utility.
- Paint Break Ability: Essential for destroying Paint Spikes and blue structures.
- Lumina Upgrades: Sastro gives you Color of Lumina to expand your build.
- Customization: You get some pretty weird haircuts for the cast.
All 9 Clair Obscur Lost Gestral Locations
You can't get them all at once. Some are locked behind Act 2 or Act 3, and almost all of them require Esquie to have certain abilities like flying or smashing reefs. Here is the breakdown of where these mischievous imps are hiding across The Continent.
The Early Game Finds (Act 1)
Outside Esquie's Nest
This is usually the first one players stumble upon. While you're trekking through the Flying Waters area during the main story, keep your eyes peeled near the nest itself. It's almost a tutorial for the mechanic.
East of Stone Wave Cliffs
You'll need Esquie for this. He has to destroy the rock formations blocking the path. If you haven't recruited him yet, don't bother looking. Once the path is clear, head east of the cliffs and you'll find the little guy shivering in a corner.
Mid-Game Scouting (Act 2)
Near the White Tree Portal
This one is sneaky. It's tucked behind a large black vase near the White Tree. If you're just running between portals, you'll miss it. It's right near a couple of Mimes, so if you see them, you're in the right neighborhood.
The Forgotten Battlefield
Just before you enter Monoco’s Station, take a hard northeast turn. The gestral is hiding between two trees. The Battlefield is a maze, so it's easy to get turned around here. Use the trees as your landmark.
North of the Coastal Cave
Go to the shoreline. You need Esquie's ability to destroy coral reefs to get here. If the reefs are still standing, you're gated out. Once they're gone, head north along the water.
Old Lumiere's Northern Portal
Check the northwest corner of this area. It's another one tucked away in a spot that feels like a dead end.
The Late Game Hunt (Act 3)
Isle of the Visages
Head west from the main island. This area is visually stunning but can be distracting. Focus on the western outskirts of the island's map.
Near Endless Night Sanctuary
You'll find this one in the Red Forest. Look for "tall Gestrals" that actually look like trees. The imp is hiding near their "feet" right by the sanctuary entrance. You'll need Esquie’s fly ability to reach this specific height.
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The Floating Island
The final Clair Obscur lost gestral is the hardest to reach. It’s on a small floating island south of the Endless Tower. You have to fly almost to the skybox to see it. It looks like a tiny speck from the ground.
How to Make the Search Easier
Don't do this early. Seriously.
If you try to hunt every Clair Obscur lost gestral as soon as you start Act 1, you'll just get frustrated by invisible walls and "ability required" prompts. Wait until you have Esquie fully kitted out with his flight and smashing abilities.
The game doesn't mark these on your map by default. You have to listen. They make a faint, mischievous chattering sound when you're close. If you play with headphones, the 3D audio in Unreal Engine 5 makes tracking them by ear much faster than looking with your eyes.
What to Do After Finding Them
Once you've grabbed a gestral, it automatically returns to Sastro at the Camp. You don't have to escort them. Thank goodness.
Go talk to Sastro periodically. He doesn't just give you the big 'Paint Break' reward at the very end; he drips out rewards as you reach milestones. The "Solo Fighter" Pictos you can get from the related Gestral Arena (overseen by Bagara) also pair well with the stat boosts Sastro provides.
Your next steps:
- Check your Camp to see how many Gestrals Sastro is currently holding.
- Ensure Esquie has the "Smash" and "Fly" abilities unlocked via story progression.
- Head to the White Tree area first, as it's the easiest one to miss during the Act 2 rush.
- Equip the 'Paint Break' ability as soon as Sastro hands it over to unlock previously gated chests in the Island of Visages.
Finding every Clair Obscur lost gestral turns the world from a linear path into a giant puzzle box. It forces you to actually look at the Belle Époque architecture instead of just sprinting to the next boss. Plus, seeing the little imps hanging out at your camp makes the world feel slightly less doomed.
Just slightly.
Summary of Rewards
| Gestral Count | Primary Reward |
|---|---|
| 1 | Sastro Unlocked at Camp |
| 3 | Paint Break Ability (Tier 1) |
| 6 | Color of Lumina & Haircuts |
| 9 | Achievement & Max Paint Break |
Don't forget that the 'Paint Break' ability is the only way to get some of the best gear in the game hidden behind those blue spikes. If you're struggling with a boss, go find an imp. The rewards might just give you the edge you need.
Focus on the overworld map first. Most are there. Only a couple are inside the "level" areas like the Sanctuary or the Nest. If you're stuck, go back to the Continent and start flying. You'll find them. Eventually.
Find Sastro. Rescue the imps. Save Lumière.
One last thing—if you're on the floating island near the Endless Tower and you can't see the gestral, look up. They like high places. Happy hunting.
Next Steps for Players:
Start your search by revisiting the Flying Waters area. Since it's an early-game zone, you likely have the required abilities now to snag the one near Esquie's Nest if you missed it. After that, head to the Red Forest near the Endless Night Sanctuary; the verticality there makes it a prime spot to test Esquie's flying maneuvers while checking for those tree-like Gestrals. Keep an ear out for that distinct chattering sound—it's your best tool for pinpointing their exact hiding spots in dense foliage.